Real Estate

If you are considering selling your home, finding the right real estate agent is critical.

You want to find the “get it done” agent in your area – the type of agent that lives and breathes real estate and has an intimate knowledge not just of your neighborhood but also with the surrounding community. This agent will leverage his or her knowledge and expertise to maximize the sales price and educate prospective buyers on why your home and community is the right place for them.

Finding the "get it done" agent takes a little investment on your part, but the payoff is huge. You deserve a high level of service, investment and communication from the agent representing your most valuable asset – your home. When you hire an agent they become a unique contractual extension of you, so you need to make sure the fit is right.

Knowing the value of your home is critical before putting it up for sale.

There are several ways to determine the value of your home. Online resources such as Trulia, Zillow, Realtor.com and Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) will provide you with an estimate of the value of your home or your local market overall. Here are the links to these calculators:

With home prices rising more than 10 percent on average last year and inventory levels at historical lows, this is a great year to sell your home and maximize your value. The current turnaround in housing is being attributed to a number of factors:

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich.—From toxin-free to maintenance free, dozens of West Michigan homes will be open to the public this Memorial Day Weekend as part of the Spring Parade of Homes.

Even more houses and condominiums will be on display this year- 78 homes from West Olive to Ada. The homes will be on display through June 7. They range in price from $100,000 to more than $1 million. This year’s listings include homes in Ada, Alpine Township, Allendale, Alto, Belmont, Byron Center, Caledonia, Cascade, Coopersville, East Grand Rapids, Grand Haven, Grand Rapids, Grandville, Holland, Hudsonville, Jenison, Kentwood, Lowell, Plainfield, Rockford, Walker, West Olive and Wyoming. For a complete list of homes, click here.

If you're renting a house or an apartment and have an issue with your landlord, what happens if you can't afford to move or hire an attorney?

While most landlords respect their tenants' privacy and maintain the homes they own, unfortunately not all do. And when there is little money to move or pay for legal advice, sometimes renters feel stuck and are unsure what to do.

CASCADE, MI – Construction is underway for a new planned unit development for the outlot at the Cascade Meijer store at the corner of 28th Street SE and Kraft Avenue.

The original project was approved in 2008, which included a restaurant and credit union. The Cascade Township Board approved changes to the project in January 2011. The latest plans call for three buildings, which will house a Wendy’s restaurant, Qdoba Mexican Grill, and space for a smaller retailer.